aaamusic | On 29, Jun 2011

Latitude is ecstatic to announce that the King of sardonic observational humour with a dry yet charming wit – the delightful Dylan Moran joins the Comedy line-up for Latitude this year. This Irish comedy legend rose to fame in the mid nineties – winning a string of awards – including the So You Think Your Funny Award at Edinburgh Festival and most notably becoming the youngest winner of the then titled Perrier Comedy Award in 1996. But it was in 2000 that he became a mainstream success when the sitcom Black Books first aired – his portrayal of the hilarious book shop owner Bernard Black as a miserable, unsociable, chain-smoking drunk – delivered this despicable character straight to our hearts.

His acting has also taken him to the big screen featuring alongside Simon Pegg in Shaun Of The Dead, Run, Fatboy, Run as well as a cameo in the film Notting Hill. But it’s his stand-up that sees Moran at his truly brilliant best. Voted Number 14 in Channel 4’s 100 Funniest People in 2010 – his shambolic persona yet precise articulation and fantastical imagery makes for a unique and frankly unmissable performance. Moran will be joining Latitude on a high from his current UK tour ‘yeah, yeah’.

American comic, writer and actress Rita Rudner will be joining the all star line-up at Latitude’s Comedy Arena. Now a stalwart of the Vegas comedy scene Rudner has recorded several award-winning comedy specials including ‘Rita Rudner: Born to Be Mild’, ‘Rita Rudner: Married Without Children’ for HBO and ‘Rita Rudner: Live From Las Vegas’ for PBS. Rudner’s recent work includes her book, ‘I Still Have It… I Just Can’t Remember Where I Put It: Confessions of a Fifty something’ and her stand-up show, which since 2001, has been performed almost exclusively in Las Vegas, selling over one million tickets. With the show proving such a success it has recently been moved to a larger theatre (The Venetian)!

Unfortunately Greg Davies has had to cancel his appearance at Latitude this year.
Since its inception in 2006, Latitude has changed the face of festivals forever, with a passion only matched by its ambition. Encompassing all aspects of the art and music worlds Latitude is the only place that brings together the best in music, literature, comedy, poetry, film, theatre, cabaret, art, dance, opera and fashion for one spectacular weekend. With an unrivalled line-up taking shape, Latitude 2011 will be another exhilarating, scintillating and inspirational festival of fun.

Elsewhere throughout the weekend, festival goers can enjoy readings from leading poets and authors including Linton Kwesi Johnson, Louise Wener, Tim Key, Simon Armitage, Andrew Smith and Alexei Sayle; top comics Alan Carr and Omid Djalili and a festival debut of Never Mind The Buzzcocks; exciting theatre and dance productions presented by The Gate, Flawless, Sadler’s Wells and English National Ballet to name but a few, cabaret performances from David Schneider & Friends, Will Adamsdale, Idiots of Ants; BAFTA return to the Film & Music Arena with a fantastic programme of Q&As, discussions and workshops including comedy stars Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon discussing their hilarious work on Michael Winterbottom’s ‘The Trip’ and Tate Britain with Nigel Barrett and Louise Mari lead a visual feast inspired by Tate Britain’s Watercolour exhibition.

With DJs, The Winter’s Ball and late night parties found throughout the site, it is a unique and special weekend of fun, culture and entertainment. An intimate world away from reality waiting to be explored and enjoyed.